August 30 is National Grief Awareness Day. This day recognises that the time it takes to heal from loss doesn’t have a prescribed course, and is a reminder that closure comes in many forms. When a loved one dies, the void they leave affects everyone differently.
Angie Cartwright founded National Grief Awareness Day in 2014. Familiar with loss, Cartwright too became lost in grief. She has become dedicated to bringing support to those who have suffered like her and enlightening others to the realities of bereavement.
As a mental health charity, we are all too familiar with the suffering and pain that can accompany loss in whatever form it takes. For this reason, we wanted to mark the day and let people know support is available to them. Whilst we can and do provide practical mental health support, in one to one or group sessions, you can also access specialist bereavement services for more focussed input. Please see some support services on this page for further details.
How can I observe National Grief Awareness Day?
Take stock of those in your life who have been affected by a form of loss. The death of a loved one, a close friend, a pet or enduring an extreme change in lifestyle can trigger grief. When we lose the stability of our relationships, shelter, a job or a routine we have known for years, we suffer a type of loss that requires closure. Some adjust to these changes easily, and others take time to become familiar with new routines.
Be there for them. While not all of us are clinically registered, we can help people out in our own ways. Whether it is with jokes and laughter, or a comforting presence and a warm meal, each of us can help those in grief in different ways.
Offer to listen to a friend or ask them to join you for a coffee or tea. Send a message letting them know they are never far from your mind. Then, set a date for another visit. If you find you are suffering from grief, know that it’s natural. You’re not alone, and it’s okay to ask for help if you feel your grief is overwhelming.
Visit www.change.org to find out more, sign the petition, and use #GriefAwarenessDay to share on social media.
Share links to support groups, educational materials, or your own personal experience with grief. When people talk about the effects of grief in their lives, it reduces the stigma many mourners experience. If you know someone who has recently suffered a loss, reach out and check in on them.
Self-care is vital during and after a loss. There’s no shame in seeking assistance with grief if the pain becomes overwhelming. Check out some support services on this page.
Grief Support Services
Blue Cross Pet Bereavement Support Service
T: 08000966606
If you have lost, or are facing saying goodbye to, a much loved pet and need somebody to talk to, their Pet Bereavement Support Service can be called or emailed, 8.30am – 8.30pm.
Cruse
A national and local grief charity offering bereavement support and counselling
Cruse offer a comprehensive overview of services available. Download their signposting booklet.
Derby Dandelions
W: https://www.facebook.com/derbydandelions
For adults dealing with any bereavement, both recent and historical.
Derbyshire Bereavement Hub
W: http://derbyshirebereavementhub.co.uk
Offers a resource list of services for Derby and Derbyshire citizens
The Good Grief Trust
Offers a variety of support for newly and historically bereaved people, with links to local and national bereavement support services. They also run free weekly Zoom sessions to help connect people and find them specialist support. Run by the bereaved, for the bereaved.
SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity)
A stillbirth and neonatal bereavement charity offering emotional and practical support to grieving parents.
SOBS (Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide)
Offering support and a helpline for people who are beareaved by the suicide of a loved one.
Specialist Bereavement Midwives
Sadly, not every pregnancy has a happy outcome and some end in the loss of a much wanted baby. The role of the bereavement midwife is to provide immediate, long term sensitive care and support for families following a late pregnancy loss, stillbirth and neonatal death.
